WWL radio has signed a three-season deal to broadcast New Orleans Hornets games, uniting Tom Benson’s local sports properties on one signal.

"We enjoy a great partnership with WWL radio and are thrilled that Hornets games will be broadcast on New Orleans' leading radio station and become part of the great momentum we are enjoying this summer," said Benson, owner of the Hornets and New Orleans Saints, in a Friday news release. "WWL radio has long been the recognized leader in sports coverage. We couldn't be happier about this partnership for Hornets basketball."

Hornets games aired for several years on KMEZ FM-106.7 and moved last season to WMTI FM-106.1.

Chris Claus, vice president and general manager of WWL’s parent company Entercom New Orleans, said Friday that the deal became possible when Benson bought the NBA team earlier this year.

Prior to that, WWL’s contract with the Saints precluded the station from broadcasting another local professional sports team’s games, Claus said.

Once Benson’s ownership of the Hornets was a reality, “I reached out to the Hornets just to open a dialog,” Claus said. “We just hammered out what we both need out of this partnership.”

Claus declined to further discuss details of the deal, including the impact of the team’s regular-season schedule of 82 games – most at night – on the stations’ news-talk-sports format. WWL simulcasts at AM-870 and FM-105.3, providing the station scheduling flexibility when conflicts arise with other programming, including LSU sports.

Friday’s announcement said the broadcast team for Hornets games will be Sean Kelley, beginning his eighth season of play-by-play for the Hornets, with newcomer John DeShazier as analyst.

DeShazier, departing The Times-Picayune as sports columnist, has been a member of the paper’s sports staff since 1992.

The deal also includes WWL’s carriage of a post-game show, and a Thursday night coach’s show with Monty Williams to be hosted by DeShazier.

“I got some feelers from somebody in the organization gauging my interest,” DeShazier said, adding that the contact came around the time of Benson's purchase of the team. “To be honest, I didn’t think a lot about it. It came to pass, they were serious about it. It’s something that’s really, really piqued my interest.

“If I could stress anything, it would certainly be that The Times-Picayune has been great to me. People call the sports department the candy store. I’ve been able to work out of the candy store for the majority of my adult life. It’s been fantastic, but sometimes you get an opportunity that really gets your juices flowing.”

DeShazier said his official departure from the paper likely will be later this month or in early September. The Hornets' first preseason game will be Oct. 7. Regular-season games begin Oct. 31.

"We're certainly sorry to see John leave,” said Doug Tatum, Times-Picayune sports editor. “He's been a valuable member of our sports coverage team and a great employee. We wish him the best on this new venture with the Hornets. We will begin our search for his replacement immediately."

Dave Walker can be reached at dwalker@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3429. Read more TV coverage at NOLA.com/tv. Follow him at twitter.com/davewalkertp.